Bailey to plead to possession of meth

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By Matt Durr

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Matt Durr

Posted Mar. 26, 2013 at 8:14 AM

By Matt Durr

Posted Mar. 26, 2013 at 8:14 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

matt.durr@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — A Hudson man is expected to plead guilty to possession of methamphetamine as part of a plea bargain stemming from an arrest earlier this month. Charles Duane Bailey, 28, was bound over to Hillsdale County Circuit Court after appearing in the district court Wednesday morning. His lawyer, public defender John Lovinger indicated that a deal has been reached with prosecutors to drop three other charges in exchange for a guilty plea on possession of methamphetamine.

The other charges, one count of driving with license suspended, one count of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture methamphetamines and one count of maintaining a lab involving meth will be dropped at the time of sentencing.

Also as part of the plea bargain, Bailey will not be charged in the future for any operating under the influence of drug charges that were likely to be handed down in connection with this case.

Bailey’s bond was also reduced to $5,000 with 10 percent allowed during the pre trial Wednesday.

Hillsdale County Sheriffs arrested Bailey earlier this month during a routine traffic stop. During the stop, officers found various components used in the making of meth. After searching his home, officers found more items including tubes that had methamphetamine residue on them.

Another man, Joseph Hartzell, 22, was also arrested at the time and appears to have been an accomplice in the making of the drug. It is alleged that Hartzell was buying ephedrine pills for Bailey and crushing them so Bailey could make his meth. Hartzell address was the same as Bailey’s.

Bailey faces up to 10 years in prison for the possession of methamphetamine charge. He will be arraigned Monday at 8:30 a.m. in circuit court.